Between the Shard’s opening on February 1 2013 and the end of last year, around 900,000 tourists have visited the building’s viewing platform.

According to standard.co.uk, tourists didn’t seem to mind paying the high ticket prices for a chance to get one of the best views of London, as the Shard generated £5 million in profit from visitors last year.

Overall, the tower had a turnover of £20 million in its first financial year and almost all of that figure was generated through ticket sales to the viewing platform, which is located on floors 68, 69 and 72.

This is good news for all London businesses, as attractions like the Shard encourage thousands of travellers to come to the capital every year.

The Shard recently celebrated its one millionth visitor of its viewing platform, reports london-se1.co.uk. It took just 13 months for the building to achieve this, despite the criticised ticket prices. However, promotions such as free entry for children on school holidays have likely helped to boost visitor numbers.

Normally, a child’s ticket costs £18.95 if booked in advance, but this climbs up to £23.95 if purchased on the day. Adult tickets cost £24.95 in advance or £29.96 on the day.

A statement regarding the tower’s visiting numbers says: “Most new leisure attractions of this size and square meterage would consider the viewing gallery’s first eleven months of opening as a success.”